Morphophysiology of the male reproductive accessory glands of the bat Pteronotus gymnonotus (Mormoopidae: Chiroptera).

Mormoopidae is an exclusive Neotropical family of bats, distributed from southern Mexico to northeastern Brazil. Possibly due to its endemic distribution and very low occurrence (rarity), descriptions of their reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) are still lacking. Thus, this study aims to characterize the male RAGs of Pteronotus gymnonotus (Mormoopidae: Chiroptera). Results demonstrate that the RAGs of P. gymnonotus is composed of a prostatic complex, comprising two regions (ventral and dorsal prostates); urethral (Littre) glands, a pair of bulbourethral and ampullary glands, with the absence of seminal vesicles. The ventral prostate has an atypical epithelium, due to its holocrine secretion; which contains numerous PAS-positive globular vesicles. The dorsal prostate has a cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium, containing fluid PAS-negative secretion. The ampullary glands present cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium, with secretion varying from granular and PAS-negative to fluid and PAS-positive. Urethral glands are dispersed in the submucosa of the urethra, while the bulbourethral glands are located in the penile root. Both glands have cubic-to-columnar pseudostratified epithelium with PAS-positive globular secretion. In conclusion, we propose that the RAGs of P. gymnonotus possibly evolved from a common emballonurid ancestor, shared with the families Phyllostomidae and Noctilionidae, but with the development of an exclusive apomorphy, the ampullary glands.

Comparative analysis of male reproductive accessory glands in bats Histiotus velatus (Vespertilionidae), Molossus rufus (Molossidae), and Peropteryx leucoptera (Emballonuridae).

Despite the high number of species and wide geographic dispersion, reproductive accessory glands (RAGs) of bats have traditionally received little attention in the literature, with some species not even having a basic description of their composition and structure. Thus, this study aimed to analyze and compare the composition, anatomy, and histology of male RAGs of bat species belonging to three of the largest (cosmopolitan) bat families: Vespertilionidae (Histiotus velatus), Molossidae (Molossus rufus), and Emballonuridae (Peropteryx leucoptera), in order to understand the variations in the bat RAGs. The results showed that the RAGs of H. velatus, M. rufus, and P. leucoptera are composed of an intra-abdominal prostatic complex, associated with the urethra, urethral glands, and a pair of inguinal bulbourethral glands; without ampullary glands or seminal vesicles. The prostatic complex can be composed of two (M. rufus and P. leucoptera) or three (H. velatus) prostatic regions, and can be compact (P. leucoptera), semi-lobed (M. rufus), or multilobed (H. velatus). Each prostatic region has unique and distinct characteristics, with the ventral region presenting a holocrine nature, exclusive to bats; while the dorsal and/or dorsolateral regions have similar characteristics to the ventral prostate of rats and to the human peripheral zone.

Imaging of the Bulbourethral (Cowper) Gland: Abnormalities and Differential Diagnosis.

Normal Cowper glands and ducts are imperceptible at imaging. However, abnormalities of the Cowper glands and ducts are increasingly seen owing to increasing use of cross-sectional imaging. In this article, the authors present a comprehensive review of the normal anatomy of the Cowper glands and ducts and the clinical and imaging findings of conditions that affect them in an effort to help lead to appropriate diagnosis and management. A Cowper duct syringocele is a congenital or acquired dilatation of the Cowper duct in the bulb of the corpus spongiosum. Retrograde urethrography is the standard test to diagnose a communicating (open) Cowper duct syringocele, and MRI is used for further morphologic assessment. Cowperitis refers to inflammation of the gland and/or duct, and recurrent cowperitis is usually associated with an underlying syringocele, a urethral fistulous connection to the Cowper gland, or a perianal fistula. MRI allows detection of the underlying structural abnormality and the superimposed inflammation. Cowper stones are typically radiopaque and are found in both the Cowper gland and duct. A Cowper gland hemorrhagic cyst may be incidentally detected at MRI of the prostate, and follow-up MRI may be required to ensure evolution of hemorrhage and exclude an underlying neoplasm. Cowper gland carcinoma is rare and includes adenocarcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma subtypes. Transperineal US may be used for initial evaluation and CT and/or MRI are necessary for further characterization and staging. Cowper gland hyperplasia is a rare entity with few previous reports that may be incidentally detected at imaging and may mimic malignancy. ©RSNA, 2022.

What urethrogram sees and a surgeon does not. / Lo que una uretrografía ve y un cirujano no.

INTRODUCTION: Urethrorrhagia is an infrequent sign in childhood. It should be distinguished from hematuria, since they have a different etiology. CLINICAL CASE: 11-year-old male patient with significant urethrorrhagia. Urinary sediment analysis: red blood cells++. Pelvic ultrasonography: fusiform anechoic image in the corpus spongiosum of the penile root. Retrograde urethrogram: normal anterior urethra, extraluminal contrast passage in the ventral aspect of the bulbar urethra. Cystoscopy: no pathological findings in the urethra or the bladder. Control retrograde urethrogram: cystic dilatation of Cowper's gland duct; Maizels' type 3 perforated syringocele. DISCUSSION: Cowper's syringocele is a rare pathology. It can occur at any stage of childhood in the form of urinary infection, obstructive voiding symptoms, or urethrorrhagia. Urethrogram is key for diagnostic purposes, since most Cowper's syringoceles are detected following urethrogram or cystoscopy. Cases with functional repercussions for the urinary system require surgical treatment. Otherwise, a wait-and-see approach is feasible.

INTRODUCCION: La uretrorragia es un signo infrecuente en la infancia que debe distinguirse de la hematuria dada la diferente etiología de las mismas. CASO CLINICO: Varón de 11 años con uretrorragia franca. Sedimento urinario: hematíes++. Ecografía pélvica: imagen anecoica fusiforme en cuerpo esponjoso de raíz peneana. Uretrografía retrógrada: uretra anterior normal, paso de contraste extraluminal ventral en uretra bulbar. Cistoscopia: sin hallazgos patológicos en uretra ni vejiga. Uretrografía retrógrada de control: dilatación quística del conducto de las glándulas de Cowper; siringocele perforado tipo 3 de Maizels. COMENTARIOS: El siringocele de Cowper es una patología infrecuente que puede debutar en cualquier momento de la infancia como infección urinaria, síntomas miccionales obstructivos o uretrorragia. La uretrografía es fundamental en su diagnóstico ya que la mayoría se objetivan por este medio o cistoscopia. Los casos con repercusión funcional del sistema urinario requieren tratamiento quirúrgico. En caso contrario podrá realizarse actitud expectante.

Morphological examination of the accessory sex glands of the Barki bucks (Capra hircus).

BACKGROUND: The present investigation was prepared to describe the accessory sex glands of the Barki bucks grossly and by light microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There are four sex glands: ampullary, vesicular, prostate, and bulbourethral. The ampullary gland is an enlargement of the terminal part of the ductus deferens, its glandular part has branched tubuloalveolar glands, and its secretory alveoli lined with a pseudo-stratified epithelium composed of cuboidal to columnar cells. The vesicular gland takes the appearance of a cluster of grapes and the left vesicular gland is enlarged and higher than the right one. The vesicular gland is a lobulated tubuloalveolar gland with wide intralobular space and the gland contain a secretory unit which lined by pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium, and the interlobular ductules lined by the stratified epithelium, while the interlobular duct lined by simple cuboidal epithelium; moreover, the lining epithelium of secretory part consists of tall columnar cells. The prostate gland consists only of the disseminated part and is enclosed by a connective tissue capsule that was thin dorsally, thick laterally, and reduced in thickness ventrally. The prostatic acini are lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. RESULTS: The bulbourethral gland was similar in size to the walnut and surrounded by a capsule and there are interlobular connective tissue septa that divided the gland into lobes and lobules of different sizes. The bulbourethral gland contained secretory units lined by the tall simple columnar epithelium of mucous type with basely located nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm contains granular secretion. CONCLUSIONS: The gross and microscopic examination of the four accessory sex glands gave valuable information in the future pathology diagnosis of the accessory sex glands of the Barki bucks.

Anatomy of Cowper's gland in humans suggesting a secretion and emission mechanism facilitated by cooperation of striated and smooth muscles.

This study presents the detailed anatomy of the Cowper's gland in humans. Elucidating the mechanism of secretion and emission of the Cowper's gland requires analysis of the muscles around the Cowper's gland. We hypothesized that the Cowper's gland involves not only smooth muscle but also the striated muscles of the pelvic floor. Here, we provide comprehensive and three-dimensional anatomy of the Cowper's gland and its surrounding structures, which overcomes the current local and planar understanding. In this study, seven male corpses of body donors were used to conduct macroscopic anatomy, histology, and three-dimensional reconstruction. The Cowper's gland was surrounded laterally and posterosuperiorly by striated and smooth muscles, respectively. The striated muscle bundle was connected from the superficial transverse perineal muscle, levator ani, and external anal sphincter to the external urethral sphincter (rhabdosphincter). The smooth muscle was part of the deep transverse perineal muscle and entered between the bilateral Cowper's glands and lobules. Our findings indicate that the secretion and emission of the Cowper's gland in humans are carried out through the cooperation of striated and smooth muscles.

Cowper's gland hyperplasia: A potential pitfall at MRI of the prostate.

MRI features are presented in a multicenter retrospective series of five patients with a unilateral masslike lesion seen in the genitourinary diaphragm at MRI performed for known or suspected prostate cancer. In all cases, the lesion appeared as an encapsulated 1.3 to 3.0 cm mass of heterogeneous low or intermediate T2 signal intensity in the genitourinary diaphragm, and targeted biopsy demonstrated benign Cowper's gland tissue. This entity is a potential imaging pitfall that could result in a diagnosis of an exophytic nodule of benign prostatic hyperplasia or local spread of prostate cancer. We present these cases to facilitate correct identification of Cowper's gland hyperplasia as an occasional finding at MRI of the prostate.

[Modern ideas about bulbourethral glands].

Bulbourethral glands are the accessory glands of the male reproductive system, the leading function of which is associated with ejaculation and includes both the neutralization of the acidic urine residues and environment of the female vagina, and friction reduction during the sexual intercourse. These glands play the role of immune barrier for urogenital infections, and also synthesize important autocrine and paracrine factors for the male urogenital system development. Glands pathologies usually have a subclinical course, however they can also lead to the functional disorders of the human urogenital system. The list of the most common diseases include cuperitis and syringocele. Usually their duration is asymptomatic and they are nearly impossible to diagnose; as a consequence, it is quite difficult to evaluate the real incidence of morbidity and importance of the bulbourethral gland pathology. In recent years, the vast majority of the bulbourethral glands researches are dedicated to the features of X-ray diagnostics and pathology detection, as well as to the description of rare clinical cases. Authors have analyzed the various available scientific data in order to review of morphological, physiological and clinical aspects of the Cowpers glands.

The Role of Male Reproductive Organs in the Transmission of African Swine Fever-Implications for Transmission.

African swine fever (ASF) has evolved from an exotic animal disease to a threat to global pig production. An important avenue for the wide-spread transmission of animal diseases is their dissemination through boar semen used for artificial insemination. In this context, we investigated the role of male reproductive organs in the transmission of ASF. Mature domestic boars and adolescent wild boars, inoculated with different ASF virus strains, were investigated by means of virological and pathological methods. Additionally, electron microscopy was employed to investigate in vitro inoculated sperm. The viral genome, antigens and the infectious virus could be found in all gonadal tissues and accessory sex glands. The viral antigen and viral mRNAs were mainly found in mononuclear cells of the respective tissues. However, some other cell types, including Leydig, endothelial and stromal cells, were also found positive. Using RNAScope, p72 mRNA could be found in scattered halo cells of the epididymal duct epithelium, which could point to the disruption of the barrier. No direct infection of spermatozoa was observed by immunohistochemistry, or electron microscopy. Taken together, our results strengthen the assumption that ASFV can be transmitted via boar semen. Future studies are needed to explore the excretion dynamics and transmission efficiency.

Persistent Dysuria in a Young Male.

A Cowper's Duct syringocele is a rare diagnosis and currently there exists no clinical guidelines for evaluation and management. This clinical challenge illustrates the case presentation, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment options for of a newly diagnosed Cowper's Duct syringocele.

Histology, ultrastructure, and seasonal variations in the bulbourethral gland of the African straw-colored fruit bat Eidolon helvum.

We studied the morphological characteristics and seasonal changes of the bulbourethral gland of Eidolon helvum in a typical African tropical environment. Forty-eight bulbourethral glands were examined using gross anatomical, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural techniques during the early rainy, late rainy, and peak dry seasons. The pear-shaped bilateral bulbourethral glands were located extra-abdominally in the inguinal region. Trabeculae from the capsule divided the parenchyma into numerous lobules of tubuloalveolar glandular acini. The mucosa was covered by a simple columnar epithelium consisting up of principal secretory cells, columnar dense cells and basal cells, which were progressively pronounced during the dry season. The principal cells contained eosinophilic granules, which were PAS positive while the dense cells did not show affinity for the stains. The mean gross weights, acini diameters, and epithelial heights were greater during the rainy season than the dry season. Ultrastructural evaluation showed that the cytoplasm of the principal cells contained well-developed Golgi complexes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and secretory vesicles of varying electron densities and sizes. The secretory vesicles were numerous during the early rainy season, decreased during the late rainy season and were scanty during the peak dry season. The simple columnar epithelium observed during the rainy season was replaced by an undefined stratified epithelium during the dry season, and this was associated with cellular degenerations and regenerations. In conclusion, E. helvum has a typical mammalian bulbourethral gland, with a unique cell type, the dense cell whose functions are not well-understood. The gland exhibits cyclical seasonal variation in structure and secretory activity; being active during the early rainy season (breeding season), and showing the lowest activity during the dry season (non-breeding season). Glandular epithelial cell renewal occurs during the dry season in preparation for the next breeding season.

The effects of different dietary protein sources on live weight, sperm quality and the histology of the testes and accessory glands in male rats.

This study was aimed at determining the effects of corn and wheat gluten, used as dietary protein sources, on live weight gain, sperm quality and the histology of the testes and accessory glands in male rats. For this purpose, 20-day-old 24 male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 (Control), Group 2 and Group 3 were fed on a basal ration supplemented with high levels of soybean meal, corn gluten and wheat gluten, respectively, as a protein source. At the end of the study, when compared to Group 1, live weight values were determined to have increased in Group 3 and to have decreased in Group 2 (p < .05). Furthermore, sperm density, sperm motility, the dead/ live sperm ratio and testes weight were determined to have significantly decreased in Group 2, in comparison to Groups 1 and 3 (p < .05). The percentages of abnormal spermatozoon, and head, acrosome, mid-piece and tail abnormalities were high in Group 2 (p < .05). Histological examination demonstrated that, in Group 2, the diameter of the Tubulus Seminiferous Contortus (TSC) and the size of the Tubular Epithelial Cells (TE) were small, and the tubular and anatomical structure of the testes were shrunken and altered. Group 2 also presented with connective tissue increase and alveolar lumen enlargement in the prostate gland, and with connective tissue thickening, muscle tissue increase and secretory capacity decrease in the seminal vesicle (p < .05). Moreover, in Group 2, the Gl. Bulbourethral (Cowper's gland) presented with a decreased size and dilatations in the mucous structures. In a result, based on the findings obtained in this study, it is suggested that high levels of dietary corn gluten adversely affect live weight, sperm quality, and the testes and accessory glands.

Arterial supply to the rabbit male genital organs.

The improvement of veterinary care has prolonged the lifespan of rabbits, and the number of rabbits suffering from age-related, male genital disorders may increase in the near future. This could result in increased opportunities for male genital surgery, requiring knowledge of their arterial anatomy, which, however, has not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the arteries supplying the genitals were observed in 20 male New Zealand White rabbits. The testis was supplied by the testicular artery originating from the abdominal aorta. The right testicular artery usually emerged at a more cranial level than the left artery (65%). The testicular artery encircled the testis in the sagittal plane and bifurcated (95%) or trifurcated (5%) at the caudal extremity of the testis before entering the parenchyma. The epididymis was supplied by the epididymal branches, either from only the testicular artery (75% of the right and 80% of the left halves) or from both the testicular artery and aorta. The deferent duct was supplied in all halves by the dorsal and ventral branches of the deferential artery, which usually arose from the umbilical artery. The accessory genital glands were supplied by the dorsal branch of the deferential artery and the prostatic artery. The latter, which emerged from the internal iliac artery, exhibited 3 branching types. The most frequent type (55% of the right and 45% of the left halves) had 3 branches supplying the accessory genital glands. These findings will help improve rabbit genital surgery.

Syringoceles of Cowper's ducts and glands in adult men.

Cowper's syringoceles are uncommon, usually described in children and most commonly limited to the ducts. We describe more complex variants in an adult population affecting with varying degrees of severity, the glands themselves, and the complications they may lead to. One hundred consecutive urethrograms of patients with unreconstructed strictures were reviewed. Twenty-six patients (mean age: 41.1 years) with Cowper's syringoceles who were managed between 2009 and 2016 were subsequently evaluated. Presentation, radiological appearance, treatment (when indicated), and outcomes were assessed. Of 100 urethrograms in patients with strictures, 33.0% demonstrated filling of Cowper's ducts or glands, occurring predominantly in patients with bulbar strictures. Only 1 of 26 patients with non-bulbar strictures had a visible duct/gland. Of 26 symptomatic patients, 15 presented with poor flow. In four patients, a grossly dilated Cowper's duct obstructed the urethra. In the remaining 11 patients, a bulbar stricture caused the symptoms and the syringocele was identified incidentally. Eight patients presented with perineal pain. In six of them, fluoroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed complex multicystic lesions within the bulbourethral glands. Four patients developed perineoscrotal abscesses. In the 11 patients with strictures, the syringocele was no longer visible after urethroplasty. In three of four patients with urethral obstruction secondary to a dilated Cowper's duct, this resolved after transperineal excision (n = 2) and endoscopic deroofing (n = 1). Five of six patients with complex syringoceles involving Cowper's glands were excised surgically with symptomatic relief in all. In conclusion, Cowper's syringocele in adults is more common than previously thought and may cause lower urinary tract symptoms or be associated with serious complications which usually require surgical treatment.

A complicated case of recurrent Cowper's gland abscess.

A Caucasian man 64 years old was admitted to our department for fever, strangury, frequency and pain in the perineum secondary to the relapse of Cowper's gland abscess previously treated by antibiotic therapy and trans-perineal ultrasound-guided aspiration. At admission, the clinical parameters were suggestive of sepsis; moreover, the trans-perineal ultrasound detected an hypoechoic mass suspicious for the recurrence of Cowper's gland abscess. A suprapubic catheter was positioned and a targeted antibiotic therapy (Colistin 9000.000 U intravenously every day for 8 days plus meropenem 500 mg intravenously every 8 hours for 10 days) was administered. The patient during the follow up presented long fibers of mucus in the urine and recurrent positive urine culture, therefore two months later underwent trans-perineal surgical asportation of the left Cowper's gland. One month after surgery the patient was readmitted for the presence of a urinary fistula between bulbar urethra and perineum. A new suprapubic catheter was positioned and after three months was removed because a complete restitutio ad integrum was shown by retrograde cystourethrogram and uroflowmetry. In conclusion, the abscess of Cowper's gland could represent a very rare but severe clinical event that need aggressive therapy and close follow up for its potentially high rate of early and late clinical complications; in the presence of recurrence the surgical asportation of the Cowper's gland should be considered.

Syringocele: a retrospective study and review of the literature.

Background: A syringocele is a cystic dilation of the ducts from the bulbourethral glands located in the bulbous part of the male urethra. It is a rare condition primarily reported in children and young adults. The objective was to evaluate the diagnostic pattern and management strategy in patients of all ages diagnosed with syringocele.Methods: A retrospective review of patients with syringocele in the period 2004-2018 was performed. Age at diagnosis, primary symptoms, the diagnostic modalities used, treatments and effects were registered.Results: In the period, 19 patients with syringoceles were identified, eight children and 11 adults. The majority of the patients presented with obstructive voiding symptoms. All patients underwent cystourethroscopy. Supplementary diagnostics as voiding cystourethrography, retrograde urethrography, uroflowmetry, magnetic resonance imaging or transrectal ultrasonography were used inconsistently. Sixteen of the patients underwent marsupialization, one child underwent open excision and two patients were managed conservatively. Three of the children were re-operated on with endoscopic marsupialization. One of the adult patients did not respond to marsupialization and was treated with and vesico-appendico-cutaneostomy.Discussion: A review of the case reports published in the period 1996-2018 was performed and compared to these results. This review found 77 cases, 50 children and 27 adults. The reported symptoms, diagnostics and treatments were in line with the findings of this study.Conclusions: Based on these findings and the literature it is recommended that syringoceles should be diagnosed by cystourethroscopy and urethrography. Patients with symptomatic syringoceles should be offered treatment. First line treatment is endoscopic marsupialization.

Cowper's syringocele in the pediatric population: a retrospective study of 122 patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Syringocele is a rare cystic dilatation of the duct of Cowper's gland, afflicting mostly the pediatric population. Syringoceles have a wide range of symptoms and may cause urethral obstruction. The authors analyzed to clarify the clinical manifestation, diagnostic approach, management, and incidence in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients (122 cases) diagnosed with a syringocele at the department of Pediatric Urology in a tertiary referral university children's hospital between August 1991 and October 2016 were analyzed retrospectively by assessing medical charts. RESULTS: The clinical manifestation, diagnostic findings, and follow-up are summarized in the table. Half of the patients (50.0%) also had typical posterior urethral valves (PUVs) and/or a single valve in the 12 o'clock position (flap-valve). The symptoms of open and closed syringoceles showed no significant difference. Treatment consisted of incision of the syringocele with a diathermia hook. The incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) before and after surgery in the group that had a syringocele only was significant different. The overall incidence of syringoceles seen at urethrocystoscopy in this series was 3.0%. DISCUSSION: This series suggests that the presenting age is strongly related to the consequences of syringoceles, as the youngest half of the patients had significantly more UTIs at presentation than older patients, who presented with significantly more obstructive voiding symptoms, postvoiding residuals, and incontinence. In addition, the younger group had a significantly higher incidence of vesicoureteral reflux and dilatation of the upper urinary tract. The found association between syringoceles and PUV may be due to overgrowth of epithelium, as possible origin in both anomalies. CONCLUSION: With an incidence of 3.0%, syringoceles, in this tertiary referral series, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of obstructive urethral lesions. The presentation ranges between signs of severe obstructions in the prenatal and postnatal period to mild urinary incontinence problems at later age. Urethrocystoscopy proved to be useful in confirming the diagnosis and allows for immediate transurethral incision.

Effects of progesterone treatment during adulthood on consummatory and motivational aspects of sexual behavior in male rats.

In males of a variety of species, administration of progesterone during adulthood has been shown to decrease the expression of consummatory sexual behaviors and androgen receptors. However, it remains to be determined if the progesterone-induced decrease in androgen-receptor signaling and consummatory sexual behaviors correspond with less of a preference for a sexually receptive female relative to another male, a behavioral phenotype indicative of sexual motivation. Consistent with the effects of progesterone reported in males of other species, progesterone-treated rats, relative to vehicle-treated rats, exhibited fewer intromissions and ejaculations. Correspondingly, the weights of the androgen sensitive bulbourethral glands were lighter in progesterone-treated rats. In addition, unlike vehicle-treated rats, progesterone-treated rats did not exhibit a preference for a female rat during the early stages of testing. However, across the entire test, both treatment groups exhibited a preference for a female rat, and consequently, there were no differences between the conditions in overall sexual motivation. Progesterone treatment did not alter activity or anxiety-like behaviors. The results of the current study suggest that the lower levels of androgen-receptor signaling and consummatory sexual behaviors in males following progesterone treatment are associated with a transient deficit in the preference for a female sexual incentive.

Chlamydia pecorum Infection in the Male Reproductive System of Koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus).

Chlamydiosis is the most documented and serious disease of koalas, characterized by ocular, urinary, and reproductive lesions. Since little attention has been paid to the pathological effects of this infection in the male reproductive system, we aimed to determine the incidence and severity of reproductive pathology associated with chlamydial infection in male koalas submitted to koala hospitals in southeast Queensland. The entire reproductive tract from 62 sexually mature male koalas not suitable for rehabilitation was evaluated and 677 tissue samples were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Lymphoplasmacytic inflammation was observed in 178 of 677 (26.3%) tissue samples from the upper and lower reproductive tract, mainly in the prostatic, penile, and membranous urethra. IHC was positive for the chlamydial antigen in 19 of 451 normal samples (4.2%) and 46 of 178 samples with inflammation (25.8%), located within the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, bulbourethral glands, and the prostatic membranous and penile urethra. Chlamydia pecorum was detected via qPCR in 319 of 451 normal samples (70.7%) and 159 of 178 samples with inflammation (89.3%), with the highest incidence in the penile urethra, prostate, membranous urethra, and bulbourethral glands. This study suggests that Chlamydia infection in the male reproductive tract is more widespread than originally thought. Furthermore, the male reproductive tract might be a reservoir for persistent chlamydial infections in koalas, with important implications for prophylactic strategies and epidemiology.

Somatic innervation contributes to the release of bulbourethral gland secretion in male rats.

BACKGROUND: In male rats, the bulbourethral glands (Bu-Gs) are the unique accessory sexual glands surrounded by striated musculature. However, until now the role of this musculature was unknown. OBJECTIVES: (i) To characterize the Bu-Gs striated muscular layer in male rats and determine its innervation and response to genital stimulation. (ii) To reveal the role of the Bu-Gs striated musculature in the release of glandular secretion. (iii) To elucidate the effect of bilateral ablation of the Bu-Gs on copulatory behavior and seminal fluid characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult Wistar male rats were allocated in three experiments: in Experiment 1, the Bu-Gs striated musculature, innervation and reflex activity were determined by gross anatomy and histological and electrophysiological techniques; electromyographic activity of the Bu-Gs striated musculature was evoked with genital stimulation. In Experiment 2, Bu-Gs were analyzed after copulatory behavior of intact or animals with unilateral transected motor branch of the sacral plexus (MBSP). In Experiment 3, copulatory behavior and spermatobioscopy of males with bilateral ablation of the Bu-Gs or sham surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: The Bu-Gs striated fibers discharged in response to mechanostimulation of the prepuce, glans, and penile-urethra. Innervation of the Bu-Gs striated musculature originated from the MBSP; this nerve also innervates striated penile muscles. Unilateral transection of the MBSP significantly decreased the secretion from the ipsilateral Bu-G to the nerve transection. Bilateral ablation of Bu-Gs did not affect seminal plug formation but decreased semen viscosity. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The Bu-Gs striated musculature contributes to expel glandular secretion during sexual intercourse. The somatic control of Bu-Gs secretion is additional to the reported autonomic innervation supplied by the cavernosus nerve, which may underlie the synthesis of secretion as well as contraction of Bu-Gs smooth muscle.